These are some exciting times at The Grand Theatre, with the launch of the 2023-24 season and the introduction of the new Artistic Director, Rachel Peake. This week’s Launch Party was a fantastic evening of music, dance, poetry and performance by this season’s production’s cast, directors and writers. There was also a moving performance by the London Gospel Collective and lastly, Cliff Cardinal & the Skylarks closed the evening’s festivities.
The evening commenced with an introduction of Artistic Director Rachel Peake as she takes the reigns October 2nd as Artistic Director of the Grand Theatre. She spoke to a standing-room-only audience at the Drewlo Lounge about her experience, hopes and vision for her tenure at The Grand.
She comes to London after two years as Associate Artistic Director of Vancouver’s Arts Club Theatre Company and three years at the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton, AB. At the Launch Party, Ms. Peake relayed her passion for “new play development with engaging, ground-breaking work.” As this year’s playbill has already been set when asked what she intended to focus on this year, she mentioned that it was a time for her to get to know the community and for the community to get to know her. With a few productions already in mind, she will let Londoners know in the new year of her list of contenders.
With award-winning experience, including the Ovation Award for Outstanding Direction for her work on Something Rotten!, London theater goers can expect interesting productions in the future.
As the evening rolled out, we got a glimpse of what to expect with readings from Ins Choi, writer and star of Kim’s Convenience, the opening scene of In Seven Days from writer, Jordi Mand, as well as an improv tap dance performance from Andrew Prashad, creator and star of One Step at a Time.
Opening the season will be the 25th-anniversary edition of the High School Project’s Phantom of the Opera production. We were given a glimpse of the strong local talent as we were serenaded by four of the stars.
The highlight of the evening was a performance by Mark Uhre, the star of this year’s holiday production Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. As an inaugural cast member of West Side Story from the first High School Project in 1998, Uhre returns as the lead in what will be one of the highlights of the Grand Theatre’s productions. He was joined onstage by the play’s director, Jan Alexandra Smith and musical director, Alexandra Kane.
Uhre sang tunes from West Side Story and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. To say the audience was mesmerized and energized by the performance would be an understatement. I recommend you purchase your tickets as soon as possible, as this will be a sold-out performance – without a doubt!
The Grand Theatre Playbill for 2023-24
The Phantom of the Opera – Sept. 19 – Oct. 7, 2023
In the High School Project, students from the London area are mentored by professional artists and coaches in all departments (performance, stage management, props, wardrobe, scenic art, orchestra), culminating in a production staged in the Grand’s 839-seat theatre: the Spriet Stage. This year you can look forward to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s the Phantom of the Opera.
Phantom of the Opera is a captivating theatrical production that delves into the life of a disfigured musical virtuoso lurking beneath the Paris Opera House. His infatuation with the talented soprano, Christine, drives a complex narrative of love, obsession, and manipulation set against the backdrop of the opera world. This enduring classic is renowned for its intricate storytelling, evocative music, and the interplay of passion and darkness at its core.
Kim’s Convenience – Oct. 17 – Nov. 4th, 2023
Mr. Kim is a first-generation Korean immigrant, a father of two, and the proud proprietor of Kim’s Convenience for the past 30 years. After building his empire from nothing, the stubborn Mr. Kim grapples with his changing Toronto neighbourhood, and the growing chasm between him and his second-generation children. In this heartwarming and hilarious story, audiences will follow the Kim family as they tackle their challenging past and look to face an unknown future.
A relatable story for all families, Ins Choi’s award-winning play that inspired the beloved hit TV series of the same name–is a modern Canadian classic.
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory – Nov. 21 – Dec. 24, 2023
Willy Wonka, the world-famous candy maker, is opening the gates to his mysterious chocolate factory – but only to a lucky few. Among them is the young Charlie Bucket, who joins four other Golden Ticket winners to embark upon a brain-boggling, mind-mangling, schnozztastic adventure through Wonka’s wild and wonderous world. Chocolate waterfalls, nutty squirrels, incredible inventions, Oompa-Loompas, and the prize of a lifetime await.
Step into a world of pure imagination with Roald Dahl’s scrumptious musical adventure, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. With beloved songs from the original film, alongside a toe-tapping score from the songwriters of Hairspray, this everlasting show-stopper is the perfect tongue-tastical treat – just in time for the holiday season!
The Invisible: Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare – Jan. 16 – Feb. 3, 2024
France, 1940. After months of training and successful assignments, seven exceptional female SOEs (Special Operative Executives) are dropped into their most dangerous mission to date. Risking their lives for the fate of the nation, The Invisible embark on perilous missions of sabotage, propaganda, and espionage – helping to bring down the greatest threat of their time, only to go completely unseen.
This genre-busting mash-up of historical research, film-noir, graphic novels, and musical theatre is a contemporary portrait of brave women who risked it all to fight during WWIl only to find themselves betrayed by the very world they believed they were fighting for.
In Seven Days – Feb. 13 – Mar. 2, 2024
When Rachel returns to her family home in London, Ontario, her only concern is whether she bought the right bagels for her stepmother to bring to Temple. But when her father reveals his decision to end his life by medically assisted death in seven days, poppy-seed bagels become the least of her concerns. Torn between love, her Jewish faith, and conscience, Rachel must decide: does she try to change the mind of the family patriarch, or does she honour the wishes of her ailing father?
A world premiere co-production with the Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company, In Seven Days is a powerful reminder of the preciousness of life and the challenges of saying goodbye to the people we love most.
Clue – Mar. 12 – Mar. 30, 2024
On a dark and stormy night, six mysterious guests are invited to a remote mansion for a very unusual dinner party. Wadsworth, the butler, provides each guest with an alias – Scarlett, Plum, White, Green, Peacock, and Mustard – along with a very unique party favour: a weapon. With the aroma of deception in the air, dinner is served. The main course on the menu? Murder. So, whodunnit? With what? And where?
Based on the cult classic film and timeless board game, the Grand Theatre and the Royal Manitoba Theatre Company are proud to present Clue – a “killer” slap-stick comedy full of murderous mayhem that will leave audiences guessing – and howling – until the very end. Dennis Garnhum, returns to the Grand Theatre to direct this hilarious production.
Million Dollar Quartet – Apr. 16 – May 11, 2024
On December 4, 1956, an extraordinary twist of fate brought Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins together – for the first and only time. That night, they recorded rock ‘n’ roll history. In this Tony Award-nominated jukebox musical, audiences will experience a blast from the past as they are transported to that infamous December night for one of the greatest jam sessions of all time.
Relive this historic moment with some of the greatest hits that defined an era, including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “That’s Alright,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Great Balls of Fire,” and more!
Additional Productions at The Grand Theatre
London Gospel Collective
Together for over a year, these Gospel singers gave a wonderful performance at the Launch Party. Bringing a depth of talent to this diverse group, it is a welcome addition to the Grand Theatre stage for the 2023-24 season. Sales for their concert series are selling out quickly, so get your tickets soon.
The Auburn Series
This is a collection of smaller productions in the Auburn Theatre. This is a small, more intimate venue where you are closer to the stage and fully immersed in the production. For the very reasonable price of $99 for all three shows, you can see: Little Dickens, Huff and One Step at a Time.
Andrew Prashad gave us a backstory of his production of One Step at a Time, including an improv tap dance number. It demonstrated his talent as a playwright, dancer and fundraiser. After all the shows, he will ask audience members to donate funds, which will go to Sick Kids and The London Children’s Hospital. This is all part of supporting those who have helped his young family as they raise a child with a severe disability. He dances because his son cannot.
Overall, I am looking forward to seeing the many plays, musicals and performances that The Grand Theatre has to offer for this season. If the Launch Party is any indication, it will be a wonderful series.
Productions from Previous years
- Entertaining East Coast Kitchen Party at The Grand Theatre
- Indigenous Culture at The Grand Theatre – Rubaboo: A Métis Cabaret
- Travel 25 years via BOOM X at The Grand Theatre – You’ll love the ride
- Controlled Damage – The Grand Theatre
- The Grand Theatre’s production of Elf: The Musical!
- Room at The Grand Theatre in London – You should go! #LdnOnt
FAQ
Where is the Grand Theatre?
Located in downtown London, Ontario the Grand Theatre is at 471 Richmond St, London, ON N6A 3E4.
Where do I buy tickets?
You can purchase tickets online, over the phone or at the theatre box office. The box office is open Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Saturday – 11:00 am – 3:00 pm and Sunday (when there is an afternoon performance) 11:00 am – 2:00 pm.
What is showing at the Grand Theatre?
All show information is available in the Show Brochure for the 2023 – 2024 season.
Margarita Ibbott is a travel and lifestyle blogger. She blogs about travel in Canada, the United States and Europe giving practical advice through restaurant, hotel and attraction reviews. She writes for DownshiftingPRO.com and other online media outlets.
Wow, what a season – thank you for the rundown. Now I know what I should go. See also Phantom of the opera sounds great and I love Kim’s convenience so if any of the actors from Kim’s convenience are in a play, I am all about that. I didn’t know that there was a new artistic Director this year. Very interesting.
Honestly, last year’s season was wonderful. This season even better. BTW, they have student season tickest for $99 – a great deal!